Posted by Tara Reed on Aug 24, 2010 in
Art Licensing,
Misc. Business Tips Alyson Stanfield, also known as the Art Biz Coach, recently emailed me to get my opinion on this question she received from an artist. Since I've never done gallery work, I gave her my best guess and suggested she let me share her opinions with everyone over here at the Art Licensing Blog. Here is what Alyson had to say...
Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson licenses reproductions of her collages through home retail stores. She asks:
How does this affect the gallery and or collectors who hold the originals. As the artist we retain the right to the image, yes? So, do we have to notify the gallery that it's going into licensing? or the collector who purchased the original?
Yes, it’s true that you retain the right to the image. I encourage artists and galleries to educate collectors* of this fact at the time of sale.
No, it isn’t required that you notify a gallery or collector that their original image has gone into mass reproduction. BUT, it is a courtesy. If you want to maintain healthy relationships with people, you should look at the situation from their point of view.
Collectors of original artwork aren’t necessarily savvy about the reproduction market. They have no need to be because it’s not where their interests lie.
Imagine being a collector of originals who happens to run into a work of art you think no one else in the world owns? You and I both know that owning reproductions isn’t the same as owning the original, but it has the potential to be an unpleasant surprise to the collector.
With a little bit of effort on your part, the collector will be thrilled to own the original source of such a popular image.
Now, about those galleries.
You should always notify a gallery that your work is going to be licensed. If you think a collector might be unpleasantly surprised coming across multiples of your work, increase that unpleasantness tenfold to get a gallery’s response. Or, just say bye-bye to the gallery.
The gallery has invested time, space, and sweat into selling your work. Check your contract with the gallery first and then discuss the situation with the gallerist. I would encourage this step before signing a contract with the licensing company. I would further hope that you would discuss this in advance of joining other gallery stables.
Why risk important relationships?*
It’s much harder to overcome damage to a relationship than it is to notify collectors and galleries in the first place.
– Alyson Stanfield, The ArtBiz Coach
Thank you for sharing your insights Alyson - helpful as always!
– Tara Reed
P.S. Alyson is the author of "I'd rather be in the studio!"* a great business reference for any artist serious about their business. I highly recommend it for your art library. She also has a wide array of audio and live class options that you can see on her site at www.ArtBizCoach.com*
* I'm proud to be an affiliate of Alyson's and the links in this post are my affiliate links. I will earn a commission if you click them an make a purchase. I appreciate your support - it helps me keep blogging! 
Tags: Alyson Stanfield, Art Licensing, ArtBiz Coach, gallery art sales, I'd Rather Be in the Studio, Tara Reed
Posted by Tara Reed on Dec 1, 2009 in
Misc. Business Tips 
Yes, I'm talking about this book again. But with good reason...
1) I really like it and think it is a great resource for any artist wanting to make a business out of their passion and
B) Alyson is having one hum-dinger of a sale! (thru 12/17)
Not only will you get the book for $24.95, but you will also receive 7 other valuable bonuses and no - they aren't Swans-A-Swimming.
So... grab one for yourself. Check an artist off your holiday list and give them a gift that will be motivate them to greatness... go check it out now.
CLICK HERE*
Here's to your creative success & saving money in the process!
– Tara
P.S. While you are at it, if you have any hard-to-shop-for women on your list, my friend Mary Foley has a new book out that's sure to please - "How to Live Like Your Nail Color - Even if You Have Naked Nails" - here's the link to check that out as well. CLICK HERE*
*disclosure: Although I never recommend anything I don't know and like, these are affiliate links and I will earn a referral commission if you choose to make a purchase.
Tags: Alyson Stanfield, I'd Rather Be in the Studio, Live Like Your Nail Color, mary foley, Tara Reed
Posted by Tara Reed on Jun 28, 2009 in
Misc. Business Tips,
marketing Sometimes excuses just feel good... like a favorite chair or old blanket that has kept you warm throughout the years. Excuses make us feel better about why we do or don't do the things we know, deep down, we probably should or shouldn't be doing. Excuses justify where we are in life, explain how we got the bad end of the deal, didn't have the good fortune others did, and keep us safe... and stuck... in our current situation.
That's where you want to be, right? Safe & stuck? (hmm... well when you put it like that...)
I've heard all kinds of excuses (and made them too, don't get me wrong!) for where people are or aren't in their art business. "Well so-&-so is successful because her husband is a marketing genius. Mine isn't..." "I could do that if I didn't have to spend all day wiping runny noses and doing laundry..." you get the idea. We could go on for years this way.
Apparently Alyson Stanfield has heard her share of excuses as well. And genius that she is, she organized her book around the biggies that artists of all kinds face. (Not just artists who license their art - this is a great book for any artist looking to earn an income from their art.)
I read "I'd rather be in the studio! The Artist's No-Excuse Guide to Self-Promotion" a few months ago. It was on my drawing table and my friend / business sanity manager swooped it up and took it home to read. I just got it back with a warning: "Now I understand even better what you should be doing to grow your business, I'll be watching..." (be careful who you loan your copy to!)
While some of the topics don't really apply to my business, most did, and having another perspective on promotion, organization, and planning is never a bad thing. The book has 16 Actions based on 14 excuses... how cool that by Action 15 we should be over our excuses and ready to just get 'er done!
If you are an artist who is comfy-cozy in the studio creating but sweaty-nervous when it comes time to tell the world about those creations, this book is a must read. See if any of these excuses sound familiar:
- "There aren't enough hours in the day to do it all."
- "My art speaks for itself."
- "I don't know where to begin."
That's just the first three. Imagine if Alyson could help you be better with those - fabulous, right? Guess what? She can!
I could go on and on but I think I'll stop now and let you decide. Suffice it to say I enjoyed the book, learned from the book and am implementing some of the strategies in the book. CLICK HERE to learn more.
– Tara
Tags: Alyson Stanfield, Art Licensing, art promotion, art resources, Tara Reed
Posted by Tara Reed on Apr 9, 2009 in
social networking A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting Alyson Stanfield, the "Art Biz Coach" in person. I've been following her on Twitter and hear great things about her in different art circles. She just posted a blog called "Carve Out Time for Social Networking" and it is right on the money!
She included my "Zen of Twitter"
"Don't worry about what you
might have missed when you weren't looking,
just assume that the tweets you are meant to see
are the ones on the screen when you are inspired to look."
But that isn't the only reason I liked the post. Of course, I was extremely flattered. Her advice to artists about social networking is definitely worth a read so instead of recreating the wheel, here is the link to hear it from Alyson: Carve Out Time for Social Networking
Now go forth, be creative and be social!
~ Tara
Tags: Alyson Stanfield, Art Licensing, social networking, twitter
